Groundbreaking held for $31 million Muse Elementary School
A groundbreaking ceremony for the $31 million Muse Elementary School was held Friday at the current school, next to the site where officials said the new facility is expected to open in August 2017.
A roughly $27 million bond issue was used through PNC Bank over a 23-year-period with interest levels about 3.8 percent to finance the project, according to school board President Paul Scarmazzi. The district is looking to recoup about $6.7 million through Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Planning and Construction Workbook program, according to business manager Joni Mannsmann. The Canon-McMillan district also plans to meet its financial obligations by raising the millage rate by 3.21 mills over the course of three years.
“We’re breaking ground on a new school while surrounding districts are struggling to make payroll and other expenses. We are in a very good place,” Scarmazzi said.
“Muse is the first priority in a 10-year plan to improve our district’s buildings. This 26-acre site is very conducive to the 875-student capacity it will have,” said Superintendent Michael Daniels.
Students from Cecil, First Street and the current Muse elementary school buildings will use the new facility on Muse-Bishop Road.
A temporary construction road coming from School Street that was previously floated as a possible permanent road will be removed after the building is built.
As for Muse Post Office property, which the school district obtained through eminent domain, spokesman Tad Kelley said the U.S. Postal Service plans to continue its operations there under a lease through 2020.
Construction contracts worth $25.7 million were awarded earlier in the month to: Waller Corp., $18 million for general construction; Lugaila Mechanical, $3.3 million for heating and air; Vrabel Plumbing, $1 million; Vern’s Electric, $2.5 million; Commercial Appliance Contracts, $400,000 contract for food services; Premier Technology Systems, $216,000 for cable construction; and Vrabel Plumbing, $230,000 for fire protection infrastructure. Inspection and testing work was contracted to Professional Services Industries for $53,000.